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French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 3:47 pm
by jaydar
Got this from an auction before Christmas

Still waiting to get my hands on it they posted it to the UK and I am stuck in Switzerland (my home for christmas plan did not go smoothly)

Looks to be French with Tortoiseshell and 18kt gold bling

The File is marked G.Keller which matches with the stamp of Gustave Keller A Parisian Silversmith (I have added a bit of info on the firm at the bottom)

this is off one of his picture frames
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So these are the auction pics .... My dad tells me it is beautiful ..... which is nice :)
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Pretty sure it is Tortoise shell as there are a couple of nibbles out of the scales
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Gustave Keller

The Keller firm was founded in 1856 by Gustave Keller, whose simple yet elegant sets and accessories were immediately appreciated for their quality. He was awarded a gold and a silver medal at the 1867 and 1878 Paris World Exhibitions. After 1878, the Keller brothers succeeded him and started producing silverware, which was rewarded at the 1889 and 1900 world fairs respectively, with a gold medal and a Grand Prix. In 1889, Lucien Falize wrote that "everything stamped Keller is good" (the firm was later known as "Keller fils et gendre successeurs"). Established in Paris at 65 rue de Turbigo, Keller moved their shop and workshop to 22 rue Joubert in 1891. In 1929, the shop was mentioned as trading from 18 Avenue Matignon and was still active possibly as late as 1947. Keller attracted brilliant and international customers and was appointed official supplier of several courts (Spain, Russia, Greece and Romania). The Russian Court was an important client and from 1897, the last Tsar regularly purchased artifacts from the Parisian silversmith. From the 1900s the firm was also commissioned to produce several important cups and trophies for the Principality of Monaco.

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 4:20 pm
by Gunsil
Exceptional knife!! I love the unique cigar cutter!!

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:05 pm
by TPK
Nice! And interesting! ::tu:: :D

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:00 pm
by knife7knut
That is one beautiful little knife and as Gene said a very unique cigar trimmer.As to the handles they could be either tortoise shell or clear horn that has been colored and torched a bit.Really hard to tell from the pictures and both materials are very similar in composition so it is hard to discern even when examining them up close.
Given the obvious quality of the rest of the knife I would probably go with the tortoise shell. Please post some pictures when you finally receive it.

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:26 pm
by Stanwade
Beautiful knife. I absolutely love it 👍! ..now I have to find one ::facepalm::

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:36 pm
by doglegg
I agree with the previous comments. Unusual and lovely. ::tu:: ::tu::

Re: French Cigar Knife G Keller

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2021 1:27 pm
by Sheffieldguy
Very nice Jaydar!! A great find! ::tu::